With all the advances of modern medical science, it can still be useful to look at the health practices of our species over time. We evolved in a far different environment than most of us live in today, and our … Continue reading
Controlling High Blood Pressure Is Good for the Brain
Why do older adults experience memory and thinking problems? For years, the assumption was that most dementia was caused by Alzheimer’s disease. But more recent research using advanced brain imaging and large collections of data has shown that it’s not … Continue reading
Spring Cleaning? Think About Downsizing!
This is the time of year when we open the windows and let in the light. Time to give everything a good dusting and vacuuming! And while we’re at it, we might decide to do a little decluttering, as well. … Continue reading
Arthritis and Rainy Weather: Is There a Connection?
April showers bring May flowers…and according to an old belief, they also bring a worsening of arthritis. Some people even claim they can predict rain when their joints ache. But is that true, or a myth? May is National Arthritis … Continue reading
Food Label Facts for Older Adults
Is your diet made up exclusively of dishes you create from scratch, using fresh ingredients? Most likely not! Most of us use plenty of canned, boxed, frozen or bottled products, and that’s just fine—so long as what’s in those packages … Continue reading
Lifestyle Changes to Lower the Risk of Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, only following heart disease. Each year, almost 1,800,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and close to 600,000 … Continue reading
How Can We Avoid Spreading Health Misinformation?
Along with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been experiencing another epidemic—this one of misinformation! Spreading unsubstantiated rumors is never a good thing, and in the case of health information, it can be life-threatening. For most of us, it feels good to … Continue reading
Self-Neglect Is an Underreported Type of Elder Abuse
During a visit to their hometown, Dan and Amy visited their great-aunt. Aunt Becky was glad to see them, but they were worried at what they saw in her home. Her usually spotless house was dirty and unkempt. Though she’d … Continue reading
Did You Resolve to Lose Weight in 2022? Here’s Some Motivation!
Here’s a common question: “What’s your New Year’s resolution this year?” And a common answer: “To lose some weight … same as last year and, come to think of it, the year before!” It can be so hard to lose … Continue reading
Protect Your Heart All Day Long
Experts from Greece offer insights that could provide a heart health boost morning, noon and night! Give your morning repast a makeover Does what we eat for breakfast, and how much, make a difference in the health of our arteries? … Continue reading
Games for Health
Does your loved one like to play games? Were they competitive in their younger years? Just because they might be at diminished mental or physical capacity does not mean that they can’t participate in competitive activities now. Being happily engaged … Continue reading
Experts Offer Health and Safety Tips for the Holidays
The holidays are here! Festive lights and music cheer us up during these darkest days of the year. We reunite with loved ones—either in person, or perhaps online, as many of us did last year. Unwrapping our heirloom decorations bathes … Continue reading
Insights from Finland About Senior Independence and Exercise
Finland is known for valuing healthy, active living. And did you know that with the exception of Japan, Finland has the fastest-growing percentage of older adults of any country? University researchers in Finland are drawing on many studies of its … Continue reading
Tell Your Doctor About Alternative Medicine Practices
Today, many people are using health care approaches that are not considered to typically be part of conventional medical care. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), these products and practices fall into three categories: Complementary practices … Continue reading
A Flu Shot Reminder for Heart Patients
When it comes to vaccines, most of the conversation these days concerns shots to protect us from COVID-19. People who are living with a heart condition are at higher risk of both contracting the virus that causes COVID, and experiencing … Continue reading
Getting Your Inner Caveman Off the Couch
The Flintstones had all sorts of humorous labor-saving devices—a dinosaur lawn mower, a mastodon vacuum cleaner and so forth. But in reality, our ancient ancestors worked hard to survive. Anthropologists tell us this might be why it’s so hard to … Continue reading
Avoid an Appointment with Dr. Google
Do you “doomscroll”? That word was coined to describe a habit many of us have developed over the past few years, obsessively clicking on links to bad news in our social media feeds or online news sites. “The biology of … Continue reading
Pandemic Quiet Provided a Contrast to Our Noisy Life
As stay-at-home orders went into place, the streets were virtually deserted. Businesses and industries suspended production. Airlines canceled flights. Live music at bars and concert arenas ceased. Even the 4th of July fireworks were called off. That resulted in a quieter … Continue reading
A Labor Day Shoutout to Working Family Caregivers
During the pandemic, it has become more apparent than ever that working family caregivers are stretched thin as they balance caregiving with their job responsibilities. Much attention has been paid to the stressful situation of working parents, who were suddenly … Continue reading
Vacationing With Your Senior Loved One
Last year at this time, few people were even considering hitting the road for a vacation. Even at the beginning of Summer 2021, there was some hesitation. But reports are that many people in the U.S. now are seeking to … Continue reading
Eight Questions About Seniors and Dehydration
This summer, much of the country has been suffering under the blistering heat. High temperatures are especially dangerous for older adults, and dehydration is one of the big factors when they experience heat-related illness. Yet even during cooler times of … Continue reading
Reduce Your Stress By Resolving Conflict
You’ve probably heard the old adage that couples shouldn’t go to bed angry. This advice could apply to other relationships as well, according to a new study from Oregon State University (OSU). The study authors also say older adults are … Continue reading
Talking About Incontinence? Let’s Do It!
Last month, June 21 – 27 was World Continence Week. The Urology Foundation says this recognition week is to “highlight the impact urinary incontinence can have on our lives and encourage those living with incontinence to seek help so they … Continue reading
Experts Learn From Seniors During the Pandemic
Older adults were hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, facing the highest risk of serious illness and death from the disease. Social distancing helped protect them, but posed a threat to their physical and mental … Continue reading
Men Get Osteoporosis, Too!
May was National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones gradually thin and weaken. It is common among older adults of all genders—yet many people mistakenly believe that it’s only a health concern of women. It’s true that … Continue reading
Faster Stroke Treatment Is Everyone’s Job
May is National Stroke Awareness Month. During this month, the emphasis has been on ways to lower the risk of stroke and the latest research on stroke treatment. And one more thing that’s heavily emphasized: When it comes to stroke … Continue reading
Is It Safe to Exercise With Arthritis?
May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Over 54 million people in the U.S. are living with arthritis, and with the aging of our population, that number will grow. Arthritis is the general term for a group of more than 100 conditions … Continue reading
Protecting Our Brains During the Pandemic
While most people think of COVID-19 as primarily affecting the lungs, the data on millions of patients shows it can damage other body systems, including the brain. Some patients have experienced serious brain inflammation, delirium, hallucinations, psychotic symptoms, and strokes. … Continue reading
Could the Moon Affect Our Sleep?
During National Sleep Month in March, sleep experts have been offering tips and advice for better slumber. Scientists know more these days about sleep and its role in health. When we sleep, our bodies might be resting, but our brains … Continue reading
Rehabilitation for Our Most Important Muscle
Rehabilitation for Our Most Important Muscle This is a great time to learn about cardiac rehabilitation, an important healthcare resource for people who have heart problems. It includes exercise, education on heart-healthy living, and counseling to reduce stress and help … Continue reading
Preserving Our Sense of Purpose—Even Now
Gerontologists tell us that feeling we make a difference in the world provides a powerful healthy aging boost. A 2019 study of 7,000 older adults published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science showed that those who engaged in … Continue reading
Did You Resolve to Cut Down on Sugar?
Our New Year’s resolutions often include weight loss and healthy eating—and reducing our sugar intake can help us meet both of those worthy goals. USDA guidelines recommend that we take in less than 10% of our daily calories from sugar. … Continue reading
Don’t Delay Reporting TMJ Symptoms
Among the other side effects of COVID-19 and the accompanying quarantine, dentists say that more patients are calling with broken or cracked teeth—a result of the stress we’re experiencing, which we often take out on our teeth with clenching or … Continue reading
Talking to the Senior Men in Your Life About COVID-19
There is exciting news these days about the progress being made toward distribution of the vaccine targeting the virus that causes COVID-19, which has taken the lives of so many people worldwide. Older adults have been hardest hit by the … Continue reading
Study Examines Older Adult Loneliness During the Pandemic
It looks as if there is good news on the horizon as research teams forge full speed ahead to develop and distribute a vaccine to control the spread of the coronavirus. But it will be some time before the pandemic … Continue reading
To Create Memories, Put Down Your Camera and Pick up a Pen!
These days, more and more people have a smartphone—and most of those phones come equipped with a camera. It’s become our impulse to whip out our phone or digital camera to take a photo of anything interesting we see. But … Continue reading
Everyone Can Make Winter Holidays Safer
Attending a Holiday celebration? Hosting a Holiday celebration? Here are some creative and smart ideas on how to stay safe over the holidays. Click Here to Learn More
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: A Guide To Keeping Healthy in 2021
As the situation in 2020 looks to be extending into 2021, it’s high time we start considering how we’re keeping healthy in the long-term. Just like how overexertion will deteriorate your health, so too will a lack of exercise and … Continue reading
8 Ways to Support an Alzheimer’s Caregiver during National Family Caregiver Month
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. To mark these events, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging people to lend a helping hand to more than 1,624,000 California family members and friends serving as Alzheimer’s caregivers. … Continue reading
Seven Great Ways to Protect Your Immune System
During 2020, prevention has been top of mind for many of us! Though we can and should be immunized against seasonal influenza (“the flu”), a vaccine for COVID-19 isn’t available yet. The tools at our disposal for lowering our risk … Continue reading
What Is Prehabilitation?
After surgery or another medical procedure, patients often take part in a rehabilitation program to help them achieve optimal healing and function. Rehab helps them build their muscles, regain function, and cope with the emotional and cognitive aspects of recovery. … Continue reading
More Than Ever Before, Family Caregivers Need Our Help
November is National Family Caregivers Month During 2020, there’s been much focus on societal inequalities. Many people have been discussing the impact of racial, cultural, gender and economic discrimination on populations both in this country and around the world. Yet … Continue reading
Pain Insights That Are Especially Relevant Today
Pain isn’t “all in your head,” as some people dismissively say. However, the way we think about our pain can make a big difference! In August 2020, a research team from Penn State University Center for Healthy Aging published a … Continue reading
The Right Car for Senior Drivers
As we grow older, we experience changes that can make it less safe to drive. Eye diseases, arthritis and memory problems can make it harder to steer, react and make good decisions behind the wheel. Even routine age-related changes in … Continue reading
Staying Positive During Challenging Times
If you’re like most people these days, you’re spending a certain amount of time fretting. Given what’s going on in the world right now, that’s understandable. But what if you can’t stop the bad thoughts that are going through your … Continue reading
September Is Healthy Aging Month. What Does It Mean to “Age Successfully”?
Many studies show that ageism is a serious health problem, both in the U.S. and around the world. So today, there’s a big push to improve the way aging is portrayed. In place of the images of yesteryear—older adults walking … Continue reading
Is It a Stroke, or Heat Stroke?
Every summer, many Americans suffer from heat-related illness, and experts caution that 2020 will offer extra challenges. People who quarantine in a home without air conditioning can overheat quickly, and many of the traditional spots where we go to cool … Continue reading
Prediabetes Is a Wake-Up Call
As experts are learning more about COVID-19, they’ve found that certain underlying health conditions raise a patient’s risk of serious complications and death. Diabetes is one of those conditions. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) explains that while having diabetes doesn’t … Continue reading
Social Distancing Lures More Seniors Across the Digital Divide
To find a paradox in senior well-being, we need look no further than today! We know that staying socially connected is vital for the mental health of seniors. And yet, social distancing is the key ingredient to help them avoid … Continue reading
Census 2020: Have You Been Counted?
So many events have been affected by this year’s coronavirus outbreak. The 2020 election will be more complicated, the 2020 Olympic Games were postponed for a year, and countless planned events were canceled. The 2020 Census has also been impacted … Continue reading
Having Food Delivered During the Pandemic? Play It Safe.
Not wanting to risk exposure to the coronavirus at a public grocery store during the COVID-19 pandemic, more people are opting to have groceries, prepared foods, and meal kits delivered to their homes. And though restaurants are closed, many still … Continue reading
Avoiding “Side Effects” of the Quarantine
By now most of us are well aware of steps we can take to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s top of mind for most folks when we think about our health at this … Continue reading
Helping a Loved One With Dementia Manage Their Money
When a senior is living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, family members often worry about their loved one’s safety. Will Dad go to bed, forgetting the tea kettle is boiling on the stove? Will Mom get lost? Will … Continue reading
Could Your Loved One Have an Anxiety Disorder?
These days, it seems like we have a lot to worry about! The coronavirus outbreak, politics, the stock market, all added to our usual worries about health, money, perhaps the problems of other family members … we can all be … Continue reading
Remodeling the “Food Pyramid” for Seniors
Many people assume the nutritional requirements of seniors are the same as those for younger adults. But a report released by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) revealed that it’s not that simple. The researchers … Continue reading
Lowering the Risk of Dangerous Blood Clots
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a large vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh, pelvis or arm. This clot can cause temporary or permanent damage to the vein where it forms. And if a clot … Continue reading
Brain Health: What Really Works?
Polls show that when it comes to aging, worrying about memory loss is a top concern of Americans. A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation found that nearly half of middle-age residents … Continue reading
Are Your Devices Making You Lazy?
By now, most of us know that getting enough exercise is vital for good health and optimal aging. More people today are at least making an effort, setting aside time several times a week to get some physical activity—a minimum … Continue reading
Opioid Medications Raise the Risk of Falls
You’ve no doubt read of the terrible opioid epidemic that is ruining—and taking—so many lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 40 people die each day from an overdose of opioid medications, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone … Continue reading
How to Treat a Winter Cold
It’s that time of year when our nose can be as red as Rudolph’s! Researchers have various theories about why we’re more likely to catch the common cold in the winter. One reason is that all the holiday travel and … Continue reading
Retirement & Senior Living Choices: A Guide
There is a great deal of information on the Internet about the more traditional types of retirement community. But we find our explorers are still seeking clearer comparative information about what is out there, and how to choose between different … Continue reading
For Seniors, Mental Health Treatment Supports Physical Health
As we grow older, we are more likely to be living with chronic health conditions. Heart disease, arthritis, vision and hearing loss, diabetes and many other illnesses all can take a toll on our quality of life, so it’s not … Continue reading
Three Gym Safety Tips for 2020
It’s a pretty common New Year’s resolution: join a gym, or if you already have a membership, spend more time there. Working out at a gym offers many health advantages, including weight control, disease management and depression-busting. Instructors teach classes … Continue reading
Hosting the Holidays When a Loved One Has Alzheimer’s Disease
Whether your family celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other winter holidays, you are probably making plans right now for the festivities. If you are caring for a family member who has Alzheimer’s disease or another type of memory loss, some … Continue reading
“Should I Give Up Driving … Or Get a New Car?”
December 2–6, 2019 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week The inability to drive is one of the greatest challenges to senior independence. In some cases, this is simply the best choice. If advanced vision loss, severe mobility challenges or dementia … Continue reading
Avoiding “Elderspeak”: Respectful Communication with Older Adults
A nurse comes into a senior patient’s room and says, “Are we ready for a shower?” “How are you today, young lady?” says a senior care aide says to a 90-year-old resident. A volunteer at an adult day center watches … Continue reading
Supporting Caregivers Is Everybody’s Job
November is National Family Caregivers Month. In the U.S., more people than ever before are providing care support for older relatives and friends. They are helping loved ones manage their health care and medications, assisting with the activities of daily … Continue reading
Studies Confirm Sensory Loss Raises Risk of Dementia
Vision problems, hearing loss, and a diminished sense of touch, taste and smell all become more common as we grow older. And so do Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Is there a connection? Scientists have long suspected that … Continue reading
Experts Offer New Insights into Senior Driving Safety
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries through research and education. The foundation has conducted many studies on older drivers, with the two-fold mission of extending the driving … Continue reading
Hospital Delirium: What Senior Patients and Families Should Know
A senior goes in for a routine surgery and afterward, family are dismayed to see that their loved one isn’t themselves at all! Their loved one might be agitated, confused, or barely awake. They might not know where they are, … Continue reading
Labor Day Special: Working Caregivers Are Having a Tough Time of It
This Labor Day, more workers in the U.S. than ever before are juggling two jobs—their paid work, and caring for a disabled spouse, their parents, or other older loved ones. Did we say two jobs? Make that three! According to … Continue reading
Denial All Around: Many Avoiding the Conversation About Alzheimer’s Disease
University of Michigan experts recently released a study titled “Thinking About Brain Health,” in which they polled people in their 50s and early 60s about their thoughts about dementia. They found that people worry about memory loss a lot. Almost … Continue reading
Seven Great Reasons Seniors Should Add More Music to Their Lives
Every human culture has a musical tradition. Why do we love music? If you think about it, isn’t it remarkable that among all the many noises in the world, we perceive certain tones, patterns and intervals as “music”? Brain scientists … Continue reading
At Every Age, We Want to Make a Difference
Seniors have a lifetime of wisdom to share—and yet, say experts, today’s older adults may have few opportunities to do so! Said University of Toronto professor Markus Schafer, “While the average 65-year-old may well have more wisdom than the average … Continue reading
Information of Veterans Pensions
Understanding Veterans Affairs Pension Benefits and How They Can Pay for Elder Care Today By Julianna M. Malis, LL.M Anacapa Estate Planning & Elder Law Many veterans believe that government benefits are only available if they were wounded in combat … Continue reading
Safer Walking for Senior Pedestrians
Most of us know that exercise is a—if not the—top way to promote healthy aging. A good exercise program for seniors includes aerobic, muscle strengthening and balance activities. And it’s good to know that walking is a great way to … Continue reading
Oral Health: It’s Not Just About a Nice Smile
June Is Oral Health Month Our teeth and gums change as we grow older. Years of wear and tear take a toll, often causing thinning enamel and broken or lost teeth. Teeth with repairs such as crowns, fillings and root … Continue reading
Meeting the Needs of LGBT Seniors With Dementia
This month, we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. This recognition takes place in June to mark the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, an event that is symbolic of the ongoing battle for LGBT rights. This … Continue reading
Seniors and Their Furry, Feathered and Finned Companions
The U.S. Census Bureau says that 68 percent of U.S. households today have a pet, and pets are a $15 billion industry. Most of us love being around animals—and many research studies show that owning a pet is beneficial for … Continue reading
When a Loved One With Dementia Is Hospitalized
When a Loved One With Dementia Is Hospitalized Today, almost six million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related condition. Many also have other health conditions which, like Alzheimer’s, become more common as we grow … Continue reading
Ten Important Questions About Advance Health Care Directives
Have you created health care directives? If you haven’t, or you aren’t sure your documents are up to date, here some questions you might have. Why should people express their wishes about health care? Isn’t that for their doctor to … Continue reading
Egg Safety for Easter and Year-Round
Easter eggs have been a tradition for a long time. But when it comes to the health benefits of eggs, research teams have been throwing eggs at one another’s studies for some time! Perhaps you’ve been following the ongoing debate? … Continue reading
When It Comes to Fall Prevention, Plan Ahead!
We plan for health care during our senior years. We strategize our retirement finances. We make a plan about where to live, and how to remain socially connected. But there’s one other thing we might have forgotten. A new study … Continue reading
Meet Your Kidneys: Two Little Organs That Do a Big Job
March is National Kidney Month. During February, we celebrated National Heart Month, and this month we’re focusing on kidney health. It’s appropriate that these two recognition events are close together, because kidney health and heart health are closely related! The … Continue reading
Expanding the Life Space of Older Adults
Some of the changes that age brings can tempt us to spend more time at home. Visual impairment, hearing loss, mobility challenges and memory problems can make it unsafe for us to drive. We might feel less confident when we’re … Continue reading
“I Quit Smoking … But Now I’m Gaining Weight!”
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to quit smoking. A month into 2019, a certain percentage of smokers who resolved to become former smokers are still sticking with it. But some report that during January, they seem … Continue reading
Diabetes Is a Family Matter
On the global level, the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the World Health Organization hold World Diabetes Day on November 14 each year to call attention to the health and well-being of the 425 million people around the world who … Continue reading
Ten Bone and Joint Health Resolutions for 2019
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Many of us pledge to take steps to improve our health. This year might be a great one to focus on bone and joint health problems, which are among the most prevalent … Continue reading
Inoculate Yourself Against Phony Flu Products
Last year’s flu season was unusually severe. This year—which is incidentally the 100th anniversary of the devastating 1918 Spanish flu pandemic—it’s important to pay attention to the dangers of seasonal influenza. The flu can be a serious illness for people … Continue reading
More Seniors Are Living With HIV/AIDS
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. If not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. There is at present no cure for HIV, but it can be controlled. Many people are under the impression that HIV/AIDS is … Continue reading
Balance Problems Raise the Risk of Falls
Falling is a big senior health issue! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 percent of older adults will fall this year, and many will suffer brain damage, a hip fracture or other broken bone—injuries that … Continue reading
Opioids Aren’t the Only Dangerous Pain Medications
With so much coverage of today’s opioid epidemic, there is new emphasis on alternative pain treatment. For many people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal pain, this includes the use of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). This class of drugs includes … Continue reading
Organizing Your Important Records in the Digital Age
Too often we need a piece of information when we are least able to access it—during a medical emergency, at a doctor’s appointment, when meeting with a lawyer, or during a hospital admission. So, it makes sense to get organized … Continue reading
Thinking About Pain
People who are living with chronic pain can feel discounted and insulted when someone says “It’s all in your head.” But studies show that the way we think about pain can make a real difference in how we perceive it, … Continue reading
When a Loved One Moves to a Long-Term Care Facility
Though most seniors wish to stay at home for as long as possible, health challenges often mean that moving to a skilled nursing facility is the best choice. If you are helping a loved one with this process, maybe you … Continue reading
Is Your Pet Keeping You Awake?
Many studies show that owning a pet can benefit us in multiple ways, no matter what our age. Pets provide companionship, motivation to exercise, a context for socializing, stress reduction and a powerful emotional boost. But experts advise us that … Continue reading
Warm Weather Tips for Managing Your Diabetes
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, you know that taking care of yourself and following the doctor’s advice are year-round tasks. But according to experts, summertime can offer some extra challenges. The Centers for Disease Control … Continue reading
“Portion Distortion” Can Pack on the Pounds
When tourists from other countries visit the U.S., they are often surprised by the size of portions in restaurants. In many countries, it is considered rude to ask for a “doggie bag.” That is partly a difference in custom, but … Continue reading
Protecting the Financial Well-Being of Older Adults
June 15 was World Elder Abuse Prevention Day. Each year, senior advocacy groups from around the world take this opportunity to raise awareness of crimes against elders. The World Health Organization says that one in six older people experiences some … Continue reading
Are Your Sunglasses Really Protecting Your Eyes?
The bright summer sun sends many of us to the drugstore or a mall kiosk to buy a new pair of sunglasses. We might try on 20 pairs, checking ourselves in the mirror to see if they look great on … Continue reading